TANK, Aug 12: The banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has warned the government against going ahead with the execution of its members who are prisoners on death row and threatened to wage war against PML-N if the government ignored its warning.

A spokesman for TTP (Punjab), Maulana Asmatullah Muavia, said in a statement on Monday that the PML-N government “will have to pay a price” for the execution of TTP prisoners.

The statement was issued to media outlets in the region on Monday.

Maulana Asmatullah said the TTP had waged war against those political parties which had become “puppets in the hands of the military”.

“Some elements in secret agencies are trying to involve the PML-N in this war. But my organisation will exercise restraint,” the spokesman said.

Maulana Asmatullah said the government had issued death warrant for TTP prisoners in Punjab.

The previous government had withheld execution of prisoners who had been convicted by courts in heinous crimes.

Officials said around 8,000 prisoners, including some militants, in jails across the country were facing death penalty.

Human rights groups, especially Amnesty International, oppose death penalty in Pakistan.

Maulana Asmatullah said the PML-N leadership should keep in mind the fate of the Awami National Party (ANP) which, according to him, had been used by the army against the Taliban.

He said the ANP had been left alone and now the army was trying to use another political force against the Taliban.

The spokesman recalled the death of Taliban leader Waliur Rehman in a drone strike, contending that the motive behind his killing was to sabotage Taliban’s peace talks with PML-N and other political forces.

He alleged that the government had decided to execute TTP prisoners under US pressure, calling upon the federal interior minister to exercise restraint.

Maulana Asmatullah criticised those elements who, according to him, were in favour of talks with India, but opposed negotiations with Taliban.

He said the PML-N and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf should stay away from conspiracies being hatched by “pro-establishment and pro-Indian lobbies”.

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.